Some of the free online courses give you some sort of certificate if achievement, which you could always attach on your resume. Businesses don't care about credit (some do, can't get around that), but many places want college OR relevant work experience.
You may not get THE ideal job with free online classes, but perhaps, you get get the job which would get you the relevant years of work experience.

Just a thought.
And are you sure you have explored ALL your options to pay for college? Are there any special scholarships for single parents/fathers?